Christmas Shopping in London

Today I want to bring you A Lady in London’s guide to where to go Christmas shopping in London. Whether you’re looking for presents for him or her, something handmade or high-end, there’s a place in the UK capital you can find the perfect gifts for your friends and loved ones. From Christmas markets to department stores and independent shops, you have a lot of choices.

Christmas shopping in London can be intimidating. Like many big cities around the world, London gets inundated with shoppers in the run-up to December 25th.

Busy streets and crowded stores can create as much hassle as they do buzz, but if you know where (and when) to go, you’ll stay on the right side of festive fun this season.

From big brands to one-person-band creators, there’s a lot of variety when it comes to Christmas shopping in London. This is one of the best cities in the UK for shopping, after all.

The same goes for gifts for kids of all ages. From toy stores for children’s presents to grown-up shops for friends and family, there’s a place to find the right gift for anyone in your life. If you need ideas, take a look at my blog post about the best things to buy in London.

When to Go Christmas Shopping in London

As far as when to go, there’s no such thing as it being too early to go Christmas shopping in London. In fact, the earlier you start, the fewer crowds you’ll encounter.

If you’re organized enough to shop in the first half of November, you’ll get all the benefits of London’s Christmas decorations without as many people around.

But even if you’re not, you can go shopping all throughout December. In fact, there are good Boxing Day sales if you’re willing to wait until December 26th to do some of your Christmas shopping. New Year’s sales can offer great value, too.

Another way to avoid crowds while doing your Christmas shopping in the UK capital is to go on a weekday or a weekend morning. They’re good times to enjoy a quieter experience.

1. Christmas Shopping in Covent Garden and Seven Dials

First on my list of the best places to go Christmas shopping in London is Covent Garden and Seven Dials. This is primarily because these areas offer a great mix of festive cheer and good retail outlets.

The Covent Garden Christmas decorations are legendary. From lights to Christmas trees, the area around the piazza goes all-out for the festive season. Nearby Seven Dials has a fun mix of lights and seasonal decor, too.

As far as shops go, there’s a variety of both high street names and independent boutiques to choose from. Streets like Floral Street and Monmouth Street have some of my favorite stores, and places like Neal’s Yard are great for meals and coffee breaks.

The Apple Market in Covent Garden is the perfect spot to pick up unique and unusual gifts, too.

2. Christmas Shopping in London in Knightsbridge

Next on my list of the best places to go Christmas shopping in London is Knightsbridge. This area is home to retail icons like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, both of which decorate their windows and interiors with seasonal displays every winter.

They’re great places to go if you want to do a one-stop shop for everyone you need gifts for. From children’s sections to food halls, there’s a lot of variety.

In addition to department stores, Knightsbridge has an abundance of shops along Brompton Road and Sloane Street. From high street stores to haute couture, there are plenty of options in the area.

3. London Christmas Markets

Another of the top places to go Christmas shopping in London is the city’s outdoor markets. They’re some of my favorite Christmas highlights in London.

From Trafalgar Square to London Bridge, there are lots of Christmas markets in London with stalls selling all kinds of unique gifts.

Whether you shop at the Christmas market in Leicester Square or the ones on the South Bank and at Winter Wonderland, there are lots of chalets with everything from candles to food, decorative items, and clothing.

4. Christmas Shopping on Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Carnaby Street

Next on my list of where to go Christmas shopping in London is the city’s famous streets.

Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Carnaby Street are heavyweights when it comes to all things retail in the UK capital. They have some of the best Christmas lights in London, too.

Oxford Street and Regent Street are packed with all the high street names you could want. They’re also home to famous department stores like Selfridges and Liberty, both of which have great Christmas decorations. Hamleys is fun for kids, too.

Right behind Regent Street, Carnaby Street is a pedestrianized retail heaven complete with lights, popular shops, and lots of restaurants and cafes. It’s a fun place to pick up Christmas gifts in the city.

5. Christmas Shopping in London in Mayfair and St James’s

Right next to Regent Street, Mayfair and St James’s are more of my favorite places to go Christmas shopping in London. Packed with luxury goods shops, art galleries, and independent boutiques, Mayfair is a great place to find the finer things in life.

Mayfair’s Bond Street is famous for its Christmas lights. It’s the perfect spot to start a shopping trip to London during the festive season.

Not far from Bond Street, Mayfair is home to some of the best shopping arcades in London at Christmas. From Burlington Arcade to the Royal Arcade, they’re a treat to see during the winter months.

And that’s to say nothing of Piccadilly, which comes alive with lights and decorations during the Christmas season. On the St James’s side of the street, famous stores like Fortnum & Mason are synonymous with Christmas shopping.

South of Piccadilly, St James’s is full of traditional men’s shops and British country clothing retailers. They’re great places to pick up gifts for the people in your life who love all things classic Britain.

6. London Christmas Shopping in South Kensington and Chelsea

South Kensington and Chelsea are two more of the best places to go Christmas shopping in London. From the King’s Road to Sloane Square, Fulham Road, and Old Brompton Road, there are lots of retail outlets with great options for Christmas gifts.

Whether you’re looking for big department stores like Peter Jones, high street shops, or independent boutiques, there’s something for every shopper.

These west London areas also come alive with lights, decorations, and festive fun during the run-up to December 25th. From Duke of York Square to the area around South Kensington station, there’s a lot to take in.

7. London Christmas Shopping in Camden

If you’re looking for something on the unique or alternative side, Camden is one of the best places for Christmas shopping in London.

The famous stalls in Camden Market are packed with gifts, and the extensions in Buck Street Market and Hawley Wharf mean there are lots of independent shops to browse, too.

From the off-beat to the vintage and mainstream, Camden has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for souvenir gifts for friends and relatives who live overseas or one-of-a-kind pieces for loved ones who have everything, you can find it here.

8. London Christmas Shopping in Marylebone

Next on my list of the best places for Christmas shopping in London is Marylebone. This area has some of my favorite shopping streets in the city, and the mix of stores makes it a great place to pick up gifts for anyone in your life.

Marylebone High Street, Marylebone Lane, and St Christopher’s Place have some of the best shops in Marylebone. From clothing boutiques to shoe stores and home interior heavens, this area has variety in spades.

9. Christmas Shopping in London Online

If you can’t make it to the UK capital in the run-up to December 25th, one of the best places for Christmas shopping in London is online. Lots of British retailers offer international shipping.

You can take a look at A Lady in London’s Christmas gift guide for ideas. It has lots of good inspiration for presents.